The Federal Ministry of Tourism, Culture and National Orientation in collaboration with UNESCO, mobilized the various stakeholders on May 24, to mark the 2011 World Day for CUltural Diversity, Dialogue and Development, otherwise known as World Culture Day.

The event was held at the magnificent auditorium of Women Development Centre, Abuja. Among many activities featured, was a lecture delivered by Professor Austin Asagba, Dean, Faculty of Arts, University of Benin on the subject "Cultural Reorientation, Peace Building and National Development".

The overwhelming cultural ceremony was spiced with breathtaking exhibition of art, craft, artefacts, and publications on cultura issues. It was staged mostly by Parastatals under the Ministry such as National Commission for Museums and Monuments (NCMM), Centre for Black and African Arts Civilization (CBAAC), National Institute for Cultural Orientation (NICO) among others.

The National Troupe of Nigeria came all the way from Lagos to entertain the guests with a drama presentation that emphasised all those cruel variables that pose a threat to our united front as a nation.

Children were not left out of the cultural spree as they too had a feel with children's panorama which was demonstrated by the invited schools. Importantly, the World Day for Cultural Diversity, Dialogue and Developmen tis an annual global event used to draw attention to the core place of culture to human development, global peace and harmony.

The Chief Host, Honourable Minister of Tourism, CUlture and National Orientation, Alhaji Abubakar Sadiq Mohammed urged Nigerians to appreciate their cultural values, norms and imbibe them in their way of life. The Director-General of National Commission for Museums and Monumetsn (NCMM) gave the closing prayer.